Skip to content
181 notable alumni U.S. News #20

Notable Alumni of University of Notre Dame

Notable alumni of University of Notre Dame include Condoleezza Rice (66th United States Secretary of State), Nicholas Sparks (Bestselling novelist and screenwriter) and George Wendt (Actor and comedian).

College data and admissions

Alumni list

Politics and law

Business

  • Douglas Hsu 1941–

    Taiwanese entrepreneur

    Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York

  • Brian Moynihan 1959–

    Chairman and CEO of Bank of America

    Also attended: Brown University, University of Notre Dame -

  • Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr. 1946–

    Businessman and longtime owner of San Francisco 49ers

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

    Sibling: Denise DeBartolo York (Saint Mary's College)

  • Thom Browne 1965–

    Fashion designer and founder of Thom Browne brand

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

Science and academia

Arts and media

  • Nicholas Sparks 1965–

    Bestselling novelist and screenwriter

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

  • George Wendt 1948–2025

    Actor and comedian

    Also attended: Rockhurst University, University of Notre Dame -

  • Orson Scott Card 1951–

    Science fiction writer, author of Ender's Game

    Also attended: Brigham Young University-Provo, University of Utah

  • Regis Philbin 1931–2020

    American television presenter and comedian

    Bachelor of Arts

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

    Child: J. J. Philbin (University of Notre Dame)

  • William Mapother 1965–

    Actor known as Ethan Rom in Lost

  • Phil Donahue 1935–2024

    Creator and host of The Phil Donahue Show

    Bachelor in Business Administration

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

    Spouse: Marlo Thomas (University of Southern California)

  • W. Eugene Smith 1918–1978

    Photojournalist known for editorial photo essays

  • Richard Riehle 1948–2026

    Character actor in Office Space

    Bachelor of Arts · Class of 1970

    Also attended: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, University of Notre Dame -

  • Allan Dwan 1885–1981

    Pioneering film director, producer and screenwriter

  • Francis Parker Yockey 1917–1960

    Fascist writer, author of Imperium

    Juris Doctor

    Also attended: University of Arizona, Georgetown University, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

  • Philip Agee 1935–2008

    Former CIA officer and author of Inside the Company

    Also attended: University of Florida

  • Tony Bill 1940–

    Actor, director and producer of The Sting

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

  • Edwin O'Connor 1918–1968

    Novelist, won 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction

  • James Patrick Kelly 1951–

    Science fiction author, Hugo and Nebula winner

  • Alistair MacLeod 1936–2014

    Canadian novelist, short story writer and professor

  • Allan Lane 1909–1973

    Actor who starred in many cowboy B-movies

  • Barry Lopez 1945–2020

    Essayist, nature writer and fiction writer

    Also attended: New York University, University of Oregon

  • Nikole Hannah-Jones 1976–

    Journalist behind The 1619 Project

    Also attended: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Notre Dame -

  • Austin Swift 1992–

    Actor and producer, younger brother of Taylor Swift

    Attended until 2015

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

  • Edward Peil 1883–1958

    Film actor

  • Don Roos 1955–

    Screenwriter and film director

    Spouse: Dan Bucatinsky (Vassar College)

  • Joe Flynn 1924–1974

    Actor known for McHale's Navy

    Also attended: University of Southern California

  • John Bellairs 1938–1991

    American author of fantasy and children's mystery novels

    Also attended: University of Chicago

  • Brian Kelly 1931–2005

    Actor and producer known for the TV series Flipper

    Also attended: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

    Spouse: Laura Devon (Wayne State University)

    Father: Harry Kelly (University of Notre Dame, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor)

  • Michelle McNamara 1970–2016

    True crime author of I'll Be Gone in the Dark

    Bachelor's degree · English

    Also attended: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

    Spouse: Patton Oswalt (College of William and Mary)

  • Virgil Exner 1909–1973

    Automobile designer for Chrysler and Studebaker

  • Sid Catlett 1910–1951

    Jazz drummer

  • William Pfaff 1928–2015

    Author and International Herald Tribune columnist

  • Theresa Rebeck 1958–

    Playwright, television writer and novelist

    Also attended: Brandeis University, University of Notre Dame -

  • Robert Costa 1985–

    CBS News chief Washington analyst

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

  • Hannah Storm 1962–

    ESPN SportsCenter anchor and sports journalist

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

    Spouse: Dan Hicks (University of Arizona)

  • Bill O'Reilly 1949–

    Conservative commentator and television host

    Also attended: Boston University, Harvard University, Marist University

  • Mark Consuelos 1971–

    Actor known for Riverdale and All My Children

    Also attended: University of South Florida-Main Campus, University of Notre Dame -

    Spouse: Kelly Ripa (Camden County College)

  • Mike Golic 1962–

    Former NFL player and television host

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

  • Palakkad Sreeram 1972–

    Indian playback singer working in Tamil cinema

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

Sports

  • Joe Montana 1956–

    Former NFL quarterback, mainly with the 49ers

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

  • Mariel Zagunis 1985–

    Fencer, two-time Olympic sabre champion

  • Matt Besler 1987–

    Former soccer defender, 2013 MLS Cup winner

    Sibling: Nick Besler (University of Notre Dame)

  • Shannon Boxx 1977–

    Former US women's national team midfielder

  • Lee Kiefer 1994–

    Fencer and three-time Olympic foil champion

    Attended until 2017

    Spouse: Gerek Meinhardt (University of Notre Dame)

  • Jackie Young 1997–

    WNBA player for the Las Vegas Aces

    Attended until 2019

  • Bill Laimbeer 1957–

    Former basketball player and coach, Detroit Pistons

    Also attended: Owens Community College

  • Adrian Dantley 1955–

    Former NBA player, two-time scoring champion

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

  • Melissa Tancredi 1981–

    Canadian soccer forward, 2012 Olympic bronze medalist

  • Alex Wilson 1907–1994

    Canadian sprinter who competed at the 1928 and 1932 Olympics

  • Troy Murphy 1980–

    Former NBA player for twelve seasons

    Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York

  • Adriana Leon 1992–

    Canadian soccer forward for Canada national team

    Also attended: University of Florida

  • Jewell Loyd 1993–

    WNBA player, first overall pick in 2015 draft

  • Yared Nuguse 1999–

    Middle-distance runner, 2024 Olympic 1500 m bronze medalist

  • Skylar Diggins-Smith 1990–

    WNBA player drafted third overall in 2013

    Attended until 2013

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

  • Gerek Meinhardt 1990–

    Foil fencer, 2019 team world champion

    Spouse: Lee Kiefer (University of Notre Dame)

  • Molly Seidel 1994–

    American long-distance runner

  • Jerian Grant 1992–

    Basketball player, Notre Dame alumnus

    Father: Harvey Grant (Independence Community College, University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus)

    Sibling: Jerai Grant (Clemson University)

  • Carl Yastrzemski 1939–

    Boston Red Sox baseball player for 23 seasons

    Also attended: Merrimack College

  • Joe Kleine 1962–

    Former NBA player, 1984 Olympic gold medalist

  • Billy Casper 1931–2015

    Professional golfer

  • Ruth Riley 1979–

    Former WNBA center, two-time champion

  • Kate Markgraf 1976–

    Former US women's national soccer team defender and general manager

  • Mo Abualnadi 2001–

    Footballer playing for the Jordan national team

  • Courtney Hurley 1990–

    Fencer, 2012 Olympic team épée bronze medalist

    Sibling: Kelley Hurley (University of Notre Dame)

  • Anders Lee 1990–

    NHL left winger

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

  • Justin Morrow 1987–

    Former professional soccer defender

  • Pat Connaughton 1993–

    NBA player and former professional baseball player

  • Bryan Rust 1992–

    Right winger for the Pittsburgh Penguins

  • Austin Carr 1948–

    Former NBA player and commentator

  • Kelley Hurley 1988–

    Épée fencer, 2012 Olympic team bronze medallist

    Sibling: Courtney Hurley (University of Notre Dame)

  • Monty Williams 1971–

    Basketball coach and former Detroit Pistons head coach

  • Candace Chapman 1983–

    Canadian women's soccer player

  • Kyle Palmieri 1991–

    NHL forward

  • John Paxson 1960–

    Former NBA player and Chicago Bulls executive

    Father: Jim Paxson, Sr. (University of Dayton)

    Sibling: Jim Paxson (University of Dayton)

  • Pat Garrity 1976–

    Former NBA player and Notre Dame teams general manager

    Also attended: Duke University

  • Elmer Bennett 1970–

    Former professional point guard

  • Paul Hornung 1935–2020

    Green Bay Packers halfback and kicker

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

  • Arike Ogunbowale 1997–

    WNBA player for the Dallas Wings

    Attended until 2019

  • Matt Ryan 1997–

    Basketball player for Maxima Roma

  • Knute Rockne 1888–1931

    Notre Dame football coach with three national titles

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

  • J. Walter Kennedy 1912–1977

    NBA commissioner from 1963 to 1975

  • Ian Cole 1989–

    NHL defenseman and two-time Stanley Cup winner

  • Luke Harangody 1988–

    Former basketball player from Notre Dame

  • Kelly Tripucka 1959–

    Former NBA player and two-time All-Star

  • Cal Petersen 1994–

    Professional ice hockey goaltender

  • Jim Delaney 1921–2012

    American shot putter

  • Yan Stastny 1982–

    Canadian ice hockey player

    Sibling: Paul Stastny (University of Denver)

  • Joe Theismann 1949–

    Former NFL quarterback and sports commentator

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

  • Bright Dike 1987–

    Nigerian footballer

  • Chris Guiliano 2003–

    Swimmer, 2024 Olympic relay gold medalist

  • Eugene Oberst 1901–1991

    Football player and football and basketball coach

  • Jeff Samardzija 1985–

    Former MLB pitcher and Notre Dame All-American

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

  • Ryan Shay 1979–2007

    Long-distance runner and multiple USA champion

  • Chris Quinn 1983–

    Miami Heat top assistant coach and former player

  • Quinn Gleason 1994–

    American professional doubles tennis player

  • Leo Barnhorst 1924–2000

    Basketball player at Notre Dame

  • John Shumate 1952–2025

    Former NBA player and basketball coach

  • Tom Lieb 1899–1962

    Olympic discus thrower and college football player

  • Kaylin Hsieh 2001–

    Hong Kong fencer

  • A. J. Pollock 1987–

    Former MLB outfielder

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

  • Manti Te'o 1991–

    Former NFL linebacker and Notre Dame All-American

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

  • Alan Page 1945–

    NFL player and former Minnesota Supreme Court judge

    Also attended: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, University of Notre Dame -

  • Chase Claypool 1998–

    Canadian football wide receiver drafted by the Steelers

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

  • Cole Kmet 1999–

    Chicago Bears NFL tight end

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

  • Kyren Williams 2000–

    Los Angeles Rams running back in the NFL

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

  • Charlie Weis 1956–

    American football coach

    Also attended: University of South Carolina-Columbia, University of Notre Dame -

  • Cavan Biggio 1995–

    MLB utility player, formerly of the Toronto Blue Jays

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

  • Phil Jurkovec 1999–

    Former college football quarterback

    Also attended: Boston College, University of Notre Dame -

  • Ian Book 1998–

    Football quarterback, formerly of Notre Dame

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

  • Justin Tuck 1983–

    Former NFL defensive end, two-time Super Bowl champion

    Also attended: University of Pennsylvania, University of Notre Dame -

  • Brady Quinn 1984–

    Former NFL quarterback

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

    Spouse: Alicia Sacramone (Brown University)

  • Tim Brown 1966–

    Former NFL wide receiver, first receiver to win Heisman

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

  • Golden Tate 1988–

    Former NFL wide receiver and Notre Dame star

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

  • Jesse Bongiovi 1995–

    American football player and businessman

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

    Sibling: Jake Bongiovi (Syracuse University)

  • Will Fuller 1994–

    Former NFL wide receiver

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame -

Other fields

From Wikidata “educated at” records (including people who attended without graduating), ordered by the number of Wikipedia language editions. Degrees and years follow Wikidata and are left out where it has none.

Alumni network

Colleges that share the most alumni with University of Notre Dame (people who attended both).